Defendants: Yetkin Yıldız

Media Outlet and Position: Aktif Haber news site – Editor-in-Chief

Accusations: Defamation

Possible sentence: –

Court: Bakırköy 31. Criminal Court, İstanbul

Case Background:

Yetkin Yıldız, the former Editor-in-Chief of Aktif Haber, is charged with “defamation” over an article published on the news site in 2015. The file opened after the complaint filed by then-Minister of Interior Efkan Ala.

Yıldız was originally arrested in relation to a separate case, regarding an anonymous Twitter account named “Fuat Avni,” which is known for its tweets and leaks concerning the ruling AKP. Yıldız was previously sentenced to 7 years and 6 months on the charges of “membership of a terrorist organization”.

During a hearing on July 9, 2019, that took place at Bakırköy 31. Criminal Court, Yıldız attended the courtroom through video-conference system SEGBIS. Yıldız rejected all allegations, also requested a copy of the official proceedings of the hearing.

During the hearing on December 17, 2019, the court ruled in its interim decision to request further information and final status of Yıldız’s case at the Supreme Court of Appeals, in which he was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months. Next hearing is on April 14, 2020.